Time to speak up and fight back

* username: rupertbu

Until about 15 months ago, Dubai was the western media’s favourite Middle Eastern “good news” story.

Coverage of the city and its accomplishments during its six-year boom was, for the most part, positive. Dubai’s leaders received pop-star treatment on their travels.

But when Dubai’s economic fortunes flipped in 2008, so did the coverage. Instead of focusing on the Emirate’s failed economic policies, however, some journalists confronted its entire existence. Dubai found itself pilloried on human rights, environment policy, and the tastefulness and social acceptability of its tourism offerings. Writers predicted – even advocated – its demise.